A superb new restaurant and coffee lounge called the Summerhouse is one of the many impressive features of a transformed garden centre in Hampshire.
Silversprings Garden Centre in Fontley Road, Titchfield, has been redeveloped both inside and outside to make it into a destination centre, and after months of work it has re-opened for business.
Head of business development Deborah Mills said: “We started our transformation just before the first lockdown and as it hit, so were we. We could not get the materials to finish the site and make it safe for visitors. It impacted everything from standard supplies, down to tabletops, landscape materials, ground works and general products.
“But we have been lucky enough to survive all that it has thrown at us and have a bright future ahead of us. Next up is a great new website ready for our next phase of the journey.”
The centre was bought by Mike Jarvis, owner of Abbey Garden Buildings and Borderland Fencing, in 2018.
“We had started a two-year plan before the Covid-19 pandemic struck,” Deborah told GTN Xtra. “Then we decided it was better to do all the larger groundworks whilst in lockdown so there were no health and safety risks to the members of the public or staff.
“Coming out of the latest lockdown will help us to hit the ground running and in with a good chance of a promising year in 2021.
“The centre has been totally redeveloped. We have everything from plants, garden rooms, indoor/outdoor furniture, outdoor heating, firepits, gifts, landscaping and fencing and the most fabulous new restaurant and coffee lounge called the Summerhouse @Silversprings.
“We also have big plans in the coming years and will be looking to support our local area and promote Hampshire produce too.”
Silversprings re-opened to customers this week although some parts of the centre will still be closed until lockdown restrictions are relaxed. But a grand official opening will have to wait until next year.
“Our official grand opening will come in the Spring when we are in a position to celebrate in style with the local community,” said Deborah.